Record breaking Crossrail tunneller set to bow out after fifty years in the business

Monday 19th May 2014

By Nick Mann

Peter Bermingham to retire at the end of May after half a century’s service

Peter, who was born in Croydon, has worked on more than 30 projects in and around London and right around the globe

Crossrail employee recently tunnelled under Thames for record tenth time

Peter Bermingham, 70, who is currently working on the Crossrail project, is set to retire after five decades working underground.

Peter, who was born in Croydon, began his career 50 years ago in 1964 when he worked on the construction of the Victoria line from Green Park to Oxford Circus.

Since then he has worked on more than 20 projects in and around London including the Jubilee line Extension, the Olympic Park and the King’s Cross redevelopment.

Peter worked for almost five years on the Channel Tunnel, during which time he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to tunnelling. He has also worked in Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji, Singapore and Copenhagen.

Peter is about to complete a record tenth tunnel underneath the River Thames as part of Crossrail. The mile and a half long tunnel linking Plumstead with North Woolwich will significantly reduce journey times for people travelling to and from Woolwich and Abbey Wood in southeast London.

Peter Bermingham said: “When I started out tunnelling back in 1964, I never thought that I’d still be doing it 50 years later. It’s the camaraderie and the spirit among the lads that’s kept me in the industry for so long and I’ll miss it when I retire. Going under the Thames for the tenth time as part of Crossrail felt pretty special, in particular on a project that is going to have such a big impact on London.

“I’ve seen enormous changes. Back when I started out, we dug tunnels by hand using pneumatic spades and shovels, normally with a cloth cap or a handkerchief on our heads. Now we’re using ten million pound machines to build the tunnels beneath the streets of the city.”

Dan Bermingham said: “My dad’s a bit of a legend in the tunnelling industry. After half a century working underground, he’s certainly earned a good break. We’ll all miss having him around at work.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Throughout the vast changes and improvements to tunnelling equipment and underground conditions over the last 50 years, the one constant has been Peter’s hardworking spirit and endeavour. This record-breaking Londoner has earned his richly deserved rest and I take my hat off to him for his role in the modernisation and transformation of our fine city.”

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive, said: “Peter should be rightly proud of the 50 years service that he has given to the tunnelling industry and to London. The wealth of experience that he has brought to Crossrail has been unparalleled and we all wish him the very best for his retirement.”

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Gallery - Record breaking Crossrail tunneller set to bow out after 50 years in the business

Record breaking Crossrail tunneller set to bow out after fifty years in the business_137123

From left to right: Dan, Peter and Robert Bermingham at the entrance to Crossrail’s Thames Tunnel at Plumstead

Record breaking Crossrail tunneller set to bow out after fifty years in the business_137140

From left to right: Dan, Peter, Robert in the Thames Tunnel.

Victoria Line construction work 1964_137943

Image copyright Transport for London

Victoria Line construction work 1964_137944

Image copyright Transport for London

Image of Thames Tunnel constructed by TBM Mary_127802

Entrance to the tunnel from Woolwich Station box_127769

Visit #ExploreCrossrail section to see a 360 degree panoramic view of a Crossrail tunnel.

Notes to editors:

The Crossrail route will serve 40 stations and run more than 100 km from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km (13 miles) tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city. Crossrail services are due to commence through central London in 2018.